The Lived Experiences and Sense of Belonging among Somali Adults and Youth in Edmonton

Edmonton has the largest Somali-Canadian population outside Southern Ontario, and Somalis are the largest African community in Edmonton. Although, many immigrants in Canada face challenges in settlement and integration, Somalis face additional challenges (Mensah, 2010). This study emerged from a desire to explore the lived experiences and feelings of belonging
among Somalis in Edmonton, given the challenges faced in settlement and integration. Through a grounded qualitative approach, I employed one-on-one interviews with adult and youth participants to explore their experiences, perceptions and views of Edmonton and Canada. The findings show that 1) family disintegration – as family members are settled in various parts of the
world, 2) cultural and psychological displacement, and 3) the problems related to home ownership due to the issue of “riba” (the paying of interest) on mortgages affects Somali immigrants’ sense of belonging to Canada. Furthermore, while legal citizenship status is important to many Somalis, this is attributed to the practical need for a passport that can serve as a legal identity document and travel permit, as opposed to being a symbol of belonging. The research participants’ self-reported feelings of belonging are low as is their corresponding
intention and hope for owning a home. However, despite all these challenges, Somali immigrants are also striving to create their own place within the larger Canadian society and Canadian life.

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